Boyer ignition

boyer ignition

Does anybody know any reason apart from the battery being low or the timing slipping my commando fitted with boyer ignition would suddenly start kicking back fiercely when i try to start it?,both of these have been checked and found ok,once the engine starts it runs fine ticks over and revs out i have had this bike many years and it has not done this before regards nick

Re: boyer ignition

Posted by
jared_crowley
at
March 29. 2014

I realize it's been a long time since this was posted, but this is the first I've seen it. I have a Triumph that is doing something similar. It kicks back like a mule - damn near breaking my ankle and then revs to some outrageous RPM. I don't have a tach on the bike, but it's got to be upwards of 5k. The engine is static timed and the carbs are presumably fine. What was your solution? Did you fix it? I appreciate any help you can offer.Previously nicholas_marshall wrote:

Does anybody know any reason apart from the battery being low or the timing slipping my commando fitted with boyer ignition would suddenly start kicking back fiercely when i try to start it?,both of these have been checked and found ok,once the engine starts it runs fine ticks over and revs out i have had this bike many years and it has not done this before regards nick

Re: boyer ignition

Posted by
john_cowie
at
January 22. 2011

I was advised to replace my Boyer with a Pazon - Not done yet.

Re: boyer ignition

Check the wires on the stator plate, they were the reason why I gave up selling Boyers after nearly 30 years, it became a plague. They seem to break under the strap they fix them with all the time and then the ignition plays up. The fault is hard to find as it seems to appear on and off- I had cables that could be pulled apart, had broken right through, and the bike was still sort of running.....

Also, cable shoes are always suspect even on new Boyers, and their advance curves are all over the place if battery/voltage is low. Another thing to check is the ignition switch which may be knackered, but then that should also be apparent when the bike runs.

Re: boyer ignition

Check the wires on the stator plate, they were the reason why I gave up selling Boyers after nearly 30 years, it became a plague. They seem to break under the strap they fix them with all the time and then the ignition plays up. The fault is hard to find as it seems to appear on and off- I had cables that could be pulled apart, had broken right through, and the bike was still sort of running.....

Also, cable shoes are always suspect even on new Boyers, and their advance curves are all over the place if battery/voltage is low. Another thing to check is the ignition switch which may be knackered, but then that should also be apparent when the bike runs.

The Paxon or Trispark ignition are best quality,much than the boyer, it is not comparable.

Re: boyer ignition

Posted by
phil_hannam
at
January 25. 2011

I had two 750 Norton fitted with Boyer ignition.

On both of them, if the battery became low then starting became a real ankle breaking experience. One of them also had a sick alternator which would not charge the battery at less than 5000rpm. This bike would often just die during a low speed run . On attempting restarts, it would let the engine pass over one firing stroke and then whack back your kicking leg most visciously. If I got a jump lead to the battery - then there no problem starting. But keeping the engine spinning was not too easy.

I would say that your problem is a combination of a battery not keeping a good charge and/or a poor charging system.

Re: boyer ignition

Posted by
laurent_husquin
at
July 22. 2011

Hi guys,

I've installed a Pazon Sure Fire ignition on my 1960 Dommie and

a) it's really easy to install and very well documented

b) looks and is of high quality

c) works very well (starts at 1st kick, good and stable advance curve).

Furthermore Andy is always available to give good and prompt help.

My recommendation: buy it from UK suppliers to avoid the "Import from NZ"Customs fees.

Cheers,

Laurent

Re: Boyer ignition

I have 3 Boyer systems and they have never given any bother. They work well with the Boyer Powerbox, which means if your battery or fuse fails you can still ride, day or night as long as your charging system is in order.

Incidentally, the Boyer on my Commando has never been touched since it was fitted in October 1989.

Re: boyer ignition

If you find the wires broken and then repair them, partially pack the space between the printed circuit board and the aluminium points cover with a bit of hard foam or other rubber to stop the wires wagging about and breaking again. There should be nothing to get snagged as the moving parts are all below the level of the printed circuit board.

Re: boyer ignition

Posted by
charles_scouller
at
July 23. 2011

I had a Boyer system on my 1971 Commando briefly. I had some of the problems you describe and they disappeared when I reverted to the Lucas Rita system.